Saturday 14th April 2012: Volunteering at Coeden Fach tree nursery 2.00 p.m.
Lower Hareslade Farm Field, Brandy Cove Road, Bishopston, Swansea.
Grid Ref: 583 877
Directions:
No 14 bus from Swansea.
From Swansea A4067, B4436, take the Bishopston turning and drive through the village. Park by the Post Office on Brandy Cove Road and walk down the narrow lane past the sewage works. The field is the next gate on the right.
Coeden Fach is a community tree nursery project based in Bishopston, Swansea.
They offer
Training and practical experience of tree and perennial plant growing skills
Sustainable woodland and food production projects
They also supply trees, shrubs and perennial plants.
They promote awareness of the importance of sustainable land management and hold a vision of a future that is not reliant on fossil fuels.
They are welcoming GSY into their nursery for an opportunity to undertake a range of activities. These will include sowing seeds, nature bingo, treasure hunts and mud art. For older children we have benches that need to be made from recycled material. There will also be the chance to look around the site and purchase plants as well as some expert story telling by Nigel Little.
Saturday 19th May 2012: Butterflies, crickets and adders. 9.00 a.m.
Oxwich Sand dunes. Grid Ref: 501 896.
Directions:
Follow the A4118 South Gower Road until the turning sign posted to Oxwich. Follow the road down the hill and across the marsh until you come to the car park on the left. (There is a charge).
Meet at 9.00 a.m., (we need an early start if we are to see adders) at the back of the Oxwich beach car park by the wall where the footpath enters the sand dunes, near the entrance where the cars enter the car park.
We will wander into the sand dunes looking for butterflies and crickets. We will head along the dunes and, using butterfly nets, try to have a look at the flying and jumping insects living on the sand dunes. We may see the mining bees, or their homes, the huge variety of grasshoppers and bush crickets and if it’s sunny the beautiful variety of butterflies. If the sun is out, then we will walk over to the adder basking site and see if there are any adders about. May is a great time to see adders as they have just come out of hibernation to mate so are busy basking to get energy.
Monday 4th June 2012: Queen’s Diamond Jubilee festival 2.00 p.m.
Reynoldston village, St George’s Terrace, Mead lake and upper green.
Grid Ref: 481 900
Directions:
If you are feeling energetic park at the top of Cefn Bryn in the car park and walk down to the village. There is parking along the road to Fairy Hill on the upper green or down Apple Grove.
Follow the B4271 over Cefn Bryn down the hill into Reynoldston. Turn right to the post office. At the post office turn left this is St. George’s Terrace. We will meet beside the bench on the left hand side of this small road where a small stream runs. Parking will be at a premium as the festival is open to all so it may pay to be early and bring a picnic and find a space.
At 2.00 p.m. Dawn will be running a river dipping activity at Mead Lake along St. George’s Terrace in Reynoldston village. There will be a geocaching treasure hunt to follow starting from the village using a GPS if you have one, (or mobile phone app), and map based treasure hunts too. A variety of distances will be available, for those who want to walk as far as King Arthur’s stone or just around the village.
This is just one of a wide range of activities on offer that afternoon in the village.
The event starts at 12.00 noon and ends with a lantern parade up to a beacon which will be lit on top of Cefn Bryn at 10.30 p.m. as part of the 2012 beacons being lit around the world.
I will email a detailed timetable of all the events closer to the day.
For up-to-date information follow our blog http://reynoldstondiamond.blogspot.com/ and facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reynoldston-Diamond-Jubilee/262358037139875
Saturday 7th July 2012: GSY Olympics on the beach. 1.00 p.m.
Parkmill walking to Three Cliffs Bay.
Grid Ref: 545 891
Directions:
Take the South Gower road (A4118) to Parkmill past the Gower Inn and through the narrow bit of road. Park either at the Three Cliffs Bay field car park, Shepherds shop, or the Gower Heritage Centre – all of which charge. If the Three cliffs car park is open turn left into the field. Or turn right into Shepherds shop car park and onwards towards the Gower Heritage Centre then cross the South Gower road and follow the footpath to the bridge.
We will be meeting on the seaward side of the South Gower Road on the green metal bridge on the footpath on the way towards Three Cliffs Bay.
We will make our way to Three Cliffs Bay following the Pennard Pill. Below Pennard Castle we will hear the legend of the castle, look for the fairy labyrinth and make our own. Once over the storm beach at the stepping stones we will enter the river and do some fishing for baby flat fish, please wear wellies, or sandals and bring a towel. With the tide still out we can warm up with our own version of the Olympics on the sand. We will have a go at sprints, shot-put/welly throwing, water carrying race, discus, high jump, pole vault, bag race and long jump. Bring a drink and a snack.
Sunday 29th July Crymlyn Bog family fun day. 11.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.
Crymlyn Bog NNR Grid Ref: 685 942
Directions:
Travel eastwards along Fabian Way (A483), straight through crossroads (traffic lights) with Park and Ride junction.
After about 100 metres (immediately after BMW service garage) turn left into Port Tennant (Wern Terrace), by Hooker Dyers pub. At the top of Wern Terrace (T junction), turn right onto Dinam Road. Drive past entrance to Tir John tip, and the Crymlyn reserve centre and car park is on your right about ½ mile further on.
Celebrate National Bog day at Crymlyn Bog NNR. Turn up any time between 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. to look around the centre with its information boards. Then take a guided walk around the site with the warden and have a go at pond dipping and some environmental art. Crymlyn Bog NNR is a little visited, hidden gem of Swansea wildlife. If you haven’t visited yet it is well worth a visit with its world class plants and animals and amazing industrial and war time history
Sunday 5th August 2012: Gower Show 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Penrice Estate. Grid Ref: 497 887
Directions:
Follow the A4118 through Parkmill and on past the turn off for Oxwich. Parking is well sign posted and the show ground is on the left inside the Penrice Estate grounds. The Gower Society tent is usually beside the horticultural show tent and opposite the main ring.
There will be a Gower Society Youth section in the Gower Society marquee where there will be a quiz and colouring and craft activities.
The show has something for the whole family. Dog shows, horse jumping, and many stalls. If you enjoy the countryside, or are looking for a really great day out, you will enjoy The Gower Show – it is a day not to be missed.
Gate Prices: Adult £8 Seniors/Child £4
Saturday 15th – 16th September 2012: GSY overnight Camp 12.00 noon.
Parc le Breos. Grid Ref: 538 896
Directions:
Follow the signs to Parc le Breos Trekking centre at Parkmill. Pass the car park for the heritage centre and follow the road for ¾ of a km. On your left is the car park opposite some large pine tree and a gate. We will be camping on the shed site, same place as last year, just through the fence adjoining the car park. Not up the valley of Green Cwm.
Meet in the field which sides onto the car park at 12.00 noon.
After last years highly successful camp we are doing it again. The family camp will take place at Parc le Breos scout camp running from 12.00 noon on Saturday 15th September until 12.00 noon on Sunday 16th September. This event requires booking in advance so please contact me for a kit list. You will need to bring your own tents, and parents will have to stay.
Camping costs £3 per person.
During Saturday and Sunday there will be the opportunity to have a go at a number of activities. If there is anything in particular you would like to try just let me know in advance and we will bring the appropriate equipment.
An example of activities available are;
Lighting fires by friction – rubbing two sticks together,
Campfire cooking,
Den building,
Pioneering – building with poles and string.
Compass trails
Tracking – following trails, and looking for signs of animals and following them.
Foraging – looking for food in the wild.
Cordage – making string from wild plants, such as nettles.
Whittling – shaping wood with knives.
In the evening, after we have all created and cooked a campfire feast, we will sing campfire songs and tell stories. Later in the evening, those who are not tired can go for a night hike to the top of Cefn Bryn where we will do some star gazing and owl calling.
On Sunday morning after a cooked breakfast there will be further opportunity to undertake activities before leaving at 12.00 noon.
If you do not wish to camp then you are very welcome to join us on Saturday afternoon for the activities from 2.00 p.m. until late.
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All activities will be published in the Gower
Society printed programme, here on the Gower Society web site and on Nature Days website where a map of each location is available.
Hope to see you at an activity soon.
Any questions ring me 01792 392919 Have fun Dawn Thomas XXX